The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-23
CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAGS.
Twelve Historic Banners OF South
Carolina Stored in the Attics OF the
War Department.
So,ec:nz to the Neaos and Courier.

WASHINGTON, June l5.-The sug
oestion Of Gen. R G. Drum that the
Confederate flags which were cap
tured during the war, and have foE
twenty years been stored in one OF
the attic rooms Of the war depart
ment buildings, should be returned
to the respective States to which they
belonged has caused great deal o:
Icomment. The letter of Gen. Drum
to the Secretary of War is itself one
ef,the most notable contributions to
the history of these times. 1t is the
letter of brave man and true SOL
dier.
Gen. Drums Letter.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
AD1UrAST GENERALS OFFICE, 7
WAsH1SGroN, April 80. 1881
Him. Will;ana C. Endicott, Secretary
Of Var:
Sir: T have the honor to state that
there are now in the Office (stored IN
one of the attic rooms of the building)
o number of Union flags captured IN
action, but recovered in the fall OF
the Confederacy ana forwarded to
the war department for safe keeping
together with number of Confeder'
ate flags, which the fortunes OF war
placed in our hands during the late
civil war.
While, in the past, favorable action
has always been taken on appllca'
tons, properly supported. for the re-
turn of Union flags to organizations
representing survivors of the regl'
ments in the service of the Govern
ment,. I beg to submit that it would
be graceful act to anticipate further
REQUESTS of this nature, and venture
to suggest the propriety Of returning
all the flags Union and Confederate
to the authorities of the respective
States, in which the regiments which
bore these colors were organized, for
such final disposition as they may
determine.
While, in all the civilized nations
of the Old World, trophies, taken in
wars against foreign enemies, have
been carefully preserved and exhib-
tied as proud memeptoes Of the mill
tary .elories, wise and obvious rea-
sons have always excepted from the
rule. evidences of past internecine
troubles which, by appeals to the ar
bitration of the sword, have disturbed
the peaceful march of q people to
it's destiny.
Over twenty years have elapsed
since the termination of the late civil
war. Many of the prominent lead
ers, civil and military, Of the late
Confederate States are now honored
representatives Of the people in the
National councils, or in other emf
nent positions lend the aid Of their
talents to the wise administration of
the affairs Of the whole country, and
the people Of the several States COM
posing the Union are now united
treading the border road to a glori-
Gus future.
Impressed with these facts. have
the honor to submit the suggestion
made in this letter for the careful
consideration it will receive at your
hands. Very truly yours,
R. C. DRUM, Adjutsnt General.
The endorsement Of the Secretary
of War upon this letter as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 26, 1887.
The within recommendation is ap,
proved by the President, and the Ad
jutant general will prepare letters tc
Governors of those States whose
troops carried the colors aud flags
now in this department, with the Offer
to return them as herein proposed
the history of each flag and the cir
cumstances OF its capture OF recap
ture to be given.
WN. C. ENDIcoTT,
Secretary Of War.
In accordance with the instructions
from the Secretary of war, Gen
Drum prepared the following letter
which was sent to Governor Richard
son:
WAR DEPARTMENT, }
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE, ;
WASHINGTON, June {, 1887. J
To Governor J. P Richardson. Co
lumbia. S. G.
Sir: The President Of the United
States having approved the recon
1nendation that all the flags in the
custody Of tie war department be re
turned to the authorities of the re
spective States in which tie regi
ments which bore them were organ
lied, for such final disposition as
they may determine, l am instructed
bv the honorable Secretary of Wa